5 Lesser-Known Action B-Movies From the 90s You Forgot About, Ranked by IMDb
Shot on shoestring budgets but with immense passion, these flicks offer pure, unpretentious action.
The 1990s were the golden age of action movies, a time when legendary films were released that still set the standard for the genre today.
However, behind these major blockbusters lies a wealth of lesser-known B-movies that deserve just as much attention.
5. 'Assault on Death Mountain', 1999
IMDb Score: 3.8/10
McBride, a retired Navy SEAL commander, now runs a private security agency. He is occasionally haunted by nightmares of a chemical attack from the Gulf War.
One day, he learns that Dr. Sarkisian, the man behind the attack, is alive and plotting a terrorist strike in the US. With the help of a loyal team of military veterans, McBride tracks down the criminal.
Although the TV format imposes censorship constraints and a limited budget restricts the use of elaborate special effects, director Jon Cassar compensates by focusing on the dramatic clash between two strong yet diametrically opposed figures: the courageous McBride and the villainous Sarkisian.
4. 'Bad Blood', 1994
IMDb Score: 4.7/10
Travis, a former police officer who previously served time for destroying evidence against his younger brother, Franklin, is once again forced to come to the rescue. Franklin stole money from the mafia, and the organization's leader, martial artist Chang, will stop at nothing to recover it.
The simple plot is balanced by numerous well-choreographed fight scenes. South Korean mixed martial artist and wrestler Joe Son delivers a compelling performance as a ruthless mobster.
However, Son's promising acting career was cut short in the 2000s due to criminal charges – he is currently serving a life sentence in a California prison.
3. 'The Base', 1999
IMDb Score: 4.7/10
Intelligence officer John Murphy arrives at a border base for a special assignment. His mission is to infiltrate a group of military personnel suspected of trafficking weapons and illicit substances. In order to expose the officers, he must first earn their trust.
Director Mark L. Lester rose to prominence in the 1980s with movies like Firestarter and Commando. However, his reputation among producers suffered in the 1990s following the box-office failure of Class of 1999.
He subsequently shifted to independent filmmaking and founded the company American World Pictures. While the low-budget flick The Base falls short of Lester's classic action movies, it nonetheless enjoyed considerable popularity during the VHS era.
2. 'Perfect Target', 1997
IMDb Score: 4.9/10
Following a failed operation in Iran, CIA agent David Benson is reassigned to a Latin American country. There, he joins a military detail responsible for the president's security. Colonel Shakwell promises to help Benson return to the US if the mission is successful.
Benson agrees, but soon realizes that he has walked into a trap – his supposed allies are plotting to assassinate the country's leader.
The movie blends political intrigue with well-executed action sequences that keep the viewers engaged. Robert Englund and Brian Thompson showcase new facets of their talent by playing corrupt military officers.
1. 'Excessive Force', 1992
IMDb Score: 5.4/10
Police Officer Terry McCain and his two partners are tracking down Mafia boss Sal DiMarco. After a major drug deal goes bust, costing DiMarco a fortune, he orders the elimination of the officers involved in the operation.
McCain's persona seems borrowed from the cult classic The Crow, yet Alex Proyas' film was actually released a year later. An excellent cast and a neo-noir atmosphere set John Hess' movie apart from run-of-the-mill, low-budget police action flicks.
